LINCOLN  ROOM 


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An   Anthology  of 

The   Epigrams   and  Sayings   of 

Abraham  Lincoln 

Collected  from 
His  Writings  and  Speeches 


Edited  by 

Francis  D.  Tandy 


New  Tork 

Francis  D.  Tandy  Company 

1908 


Copyright,  igos,  igo8,  by 
FRANCIS    D.  TANDY 


Preface 

The  diversity  of  Lincoln's  genius  is  nowhere 
more  apparent  than  in  the  innumerable  quaint  say- 
ings and  epigrammatic  phrases  which  he  originated 
and  which  have  become  household  words  to  all 
Americans.  These  gems  of  thought  and  expression, 
these  quaint  conceits  and  homely  similes,  as  far  as 
they  appear  in  his  authenticated  writings  and 
speeches,  are  here  gathered  together  and  arranged 
roughly  by  their  subject  matter.  They  are  selected 
from  The  Complete  Works  of  Abraham  Lincoln^'^'  and 
the  reference  at  the  end  of  each  is  to  the  volume 
and  page  of  that  work. 


*The  Complete  Works  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  edited  by  John 
G.  Nicolay  and  John  Hay.  New  and  enlarged  edition.  i  2  vols. 
8vo.      New  York,  Francis  D.  Tandy  Company. 


Anthology. 


Anthology  of  Sayings   of 
Abraham   Lincoln. 

House  Divided  Against  Itself 

"A  house  divided  against  itself  cannot  stand."  I 
believe  this  government  cannot  endure  permanently 
half  slave  and  half  free.  I  do  not  expect  the  Union 
to  be  dissolved — I  do  not  expect  the  house  to  fall — 

but  I   do  expect  it  w^ill  cease   to  be  divided. 

Speech  at  Springfield,  III.,  June  l6,  1 8 ^8,  vol.  Ill, 
p.  I. 

With  Malice  Toward  None 

With  malice  tow^ard  none;  w^ith  charity  for  all; 
with  firmness  in  the  right,  as  God  gives  us  to  see  the 
right,  let  us  strive  on  to  finish  the  work  we  are  in;  to 
bind  up  the  nation's  wounds;  to  care  for  him  who 
shall  have  borne  the  battle,  and  for  his  widow,  and 
his  orphan — to  do  all  which  may  achieve  and  cherish 
a  just  and  lasting  peace  among  ourselves  and  with  all 

nations. Second    Inaugural    Address,    Mar.    4, 

l86s,  vol.  XI,  p.  46. 


4  Abraham   Lincoln 

Let  Bygones  be  Bygones 

Let  bygones  be  bygones;  let  past  differences  as 
nothing  be ;  and  with  steady  eye  on  the  real  issue,  let 
us  reinaugurate  the  good  old  "central  ideas"  of  the  re- 
public.    The  human  heart  is  with  us.     God  is  with 

us. Speech  at  Chicago  Banquet,  Dec.  10,  l8^6, 

vol.  II,  p.  311. 

Few  Things  Wholly  Evil 

The  true  rule,  in  determining  to  embrace  or  reject 
anything  is  not  whether  it  have  any  evil  in  it,  but 
whether  it  have  more  of  evil  than  of  good.     There 

are   few   things   wholly   evil    or  wholly   good. • 

Speech  on  Internal  Improvements,  June  20,  1848, 
vol.  II,  p.  SJ. 

Faith  that  Right  Makes  Might 

Let  us  have  faith  that  right  makes  might,  and  in 
that  faith  let  us  to  the  end  dare  to  do  our  duty  as  we 

understand  it. Address  at  Cooper  Institute,  New 

York  City,  Feb.  2^ ,  i860,  vol.  V ,  p.  328. 

Fooling  the  People 

You  can  fool  all  the  people  some  of  the  time  and 
some  of  the  people  all  the  time,  but  you  cannot  fool 

all  the  people  all  of  the  time. Speech  at  Clinton, 

III.,  Sept.  8,  1838,  vol  III,  p.  34g. 


Anthology  5 

Government  of  the  People 

We  here  highly  resolve  that  these  dead  shall  not 
have  died  in  vain;  that  this  nation,  under  God,  shall 
have  a  new  birth  of  freedom;  and  that  government 
of  the  people,  by  the  people,  for  the  people,  shall  not 
perish  from  the  earth. Gettysburg  Address,  Nov. 

ig,  1863,  vol.  IX,  p.  210. 

Violation  of  Liberty 

Let  every  man  remember  that  to  violate  the  law 
is  to  trample  on  the  blood  of  his  father,  and  to  tear 

the  charter  of  his  own  and  his  children's  liberty. 

Lyceum  Address,  Jan.  2J ,  iSjJ,  vol.  I,  p.  4 J. 

Reading  Through  an  Eagle 

The  plainest  print  cannot  be  read  through  a  gold 

eagle. Speech  at  Springfield,  III.,  June  26,  iS^J. 

vol.  II,  p.  338. 

Power  of  Public  Opinion 

In  this  age,  and  in  this  country,  public  sentiment 
is  everything.     With  it,  nothing  can  fail ;  against  it, 

nothing  can  succeed. Notes  for  Speeches,  Oct.  I, 

1838,  vol.  IV,  p.  222. 

Controlled  by  Events 

I  claim  not  to  have  controlled  events,  but  confess 

plainly  that  events  have  controlled  me. Letter  to 

A.  G.  Hodges,  Apr.  4,  1 864,  vol.  X,  p.  68. 


6  Abraham   Lincoln 

Stand  with  the  Right 

Stand  with  anybody  that  stands  right.  Stand 
with  him  while  he  is  right,  and  part  with  him  when 

he  goes  wrong. Speech  at  Peoria,  III.    Oct.  l6, 

l8S4>  '^ol.  11,  p.  243.. 

Emancipation  Irrevocable 

If  the  people  should,  by  whatever  mode  or  means, 
make  it  an  executive  duty  to  re-enslave  such  persons 
[negroes],  another,  and  not  I,  must  be  their  instru- 
ment to  perform  it. Annual  Message  to  Congress, 

Dec.  6,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  310. 

Seeing  Through  the  Guinea 

The  dissenting  minister  who  argued  some  theo- 
logical point  with  one  of  the  established  church  was 
always  met  by  the  reply,  ''I  can't  see  it  so."  He 
opened  the  Bible  and  pointed  him  to  a  passage,  but 
the  orthodox  minister  replied,  "I  can't  see  it  so." 
Then  he  showed  him  a  single  word — "Can  you  see 
that?"  "Yes,  I  see  it,"  was  the  reply.  The  dis- 
senter laid  a  guinea  over  the  word,  and  asked  "Do 

you  see  it  now?" Speech  at  New  Haven,  Conn., 

Mar.  6,  i860,  vol.  V,  p.  344. 

Difference  in  Consciences 

Consciences    differ   in    different    individuals. 

Notes  for  Speeches,  Oct.  I,  18^8,  vol.  IV,  p.  21 3. 


Anthology  7 

Clear  Before  His  Own  Conscience 

At  least  I  should  have  done  my  duty,  and  have 
stood  clear  before  my  own  conscience. Memoran- 
dum, Aug.  2 J,  1864,  vol,  X,  p.  204. 

Inflexibility  of  Principle 

Important  principles  may  and  must  be  inflexible. 
Last  Public  Address,  Apr.  II,  1 863,  Vol.  XI, 


p.  g2. 

Origin  of  the  Will 

Will  springs  from  the  two  elements  of  moral  sense 
and  self-interest. — Speech  at  Springfield,  III.,  June 
26,  1837,  vol.  II,  p.  338. 

Eastern  Aphorism 

It  is  said  an  Eastern  monarch  once  charged  his 
wise  men  to  invent  him  an  aphorism  to  be  ever  in 
view,  and  which  should  be  true  and  appropriate  in 
all  times  and  situations.  They  presented  him  the 
words,  "And  this,  too,  shall  pass  away." Agricul- 
tural Address,  Sept.  30,  183Q,  vol.  V,  p.  233. 

Demand  for  Facts 

No  man  has  needed  favors  more  than  I,  and,  gen- 
erally, few  have  been  less  unwilling  to  accept  them ; 
but  in  this  case  favor  to  me  would  be  injustice  to  the 


8  Abraham   Lincoln 

public,  and  therefore  I  must  beg  your  pardon  for 
declining  it.  That  I  once  had  the  confidence  of  the 
people  of  Sangamon  is  sufficiently  evident;  and 
if  I  have  since  done  anything,  either  by  design 
or  misadventure,  which,  if  known,  would  subject  me 
to  a  forfeiture  of  that  confidence,  he  that  knows  of 
that  thing,  and  conceals  it,  is  a  traitor  to  his  country's 

interest. Letter  to  Robert  Allen,  June  21 ,  l8j6, 

vol.  I,  p.  75. 

Truth  and  Prudence 

I  never  encourage  deceit,  and  falsehood,  especially 
if  you  have  got  a  bad  memory,  is  the  ivorst  enemy 
a  fellow  can  have.  The  fact  is,  truth  is  your  truest 
friend,  no  matter  what  the  circumstances  are.  Not- 
withstanding this  copy-book  preamble,  my  boy,  I  am 

inclined  to  suggest  a  little  prudence. Letter  to 

George  E.  Pickett,  Feb.  22,  1 842,  vol.  I,  p.  IQI. 

Judgment  Deferred 

There  is  something  so  ludicrous  in  promises  of 
good  or  threats  of  evil  a  great  way  of]f  as  to  render 
the  whole  subject  with  which  they  are  connected 
easily  turned  into  ridicule.  "Better  lay  down  that 
spade  you  are  stealing,  Paddy;  if  you  don't  you'll  pay 
for  it  at  the  day  of  judgment."  ''Be  the  powers,  if 
ye'U  credit  me  so  long  I'll  take  another  jist." — Tem- 
perance Address,  Feb.  22,  1 842,  vol.  I,  p.  202, 


Anthology  9 

For  the  Man  Who  Works 

I  am  always  for  the  man  who  wishes  to  work. 

Indorsement  of  Application  for  Employment,  Aug. 

IS,  1864,  vol  X,  p.  ig2. 

Men  More  than  Money 

Gold  is  good  in  its  place,  but  living,  brave,  patri- 
otic men  are  better  than  gold. Response  to  a  Sere- 
nade, Nov.  10,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  264. 

Rare  Want  Encouraged 

The  lady  bearer  of  this  says  she  has  two  sons  who 
want  to  work.  Set  them  at  it  if  possible.  Wanting 
to  work  is  so  rare  a  want  that  it  should  be  encouraged. 

Note  to  Major  Ramsey,  Oct.  I  J,  1 86 1,  vol.  XI, 

p.  120. 

Lincoln  the  Hired  Laborer 

I  am  not  ashamed  to  confess  that  twenty-five  years 
ago  I  was  a  hired  laborer,  mauling  rails,  at  work  on 
a  flatboat — just  what  might  happen  to  any  poor  man's 

son.     I  want  every  man  to  have  a  chance. Speech 

at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Mar.  6,  i860,  vol.  V ,  p.  j6l. 

Causes  of  Poverty 

If  any  continue  through  life  in  the  condition  of  the 
hired  laborer,  it  is  not  the  fault  of  the  system,  but  be- 


lo  Abraham   Lincoln 

cause  of  either  a  dependent  nature  which  prefers  it, 

or  improvidence,  folly,  or  singular  misfortune. 

Agricultural  Address,  Sept.  JO,  1 8^9,  vol.  V,  p.  2j0. 

Men  Worthy  of  Trust 

No  men  living  are  more  worthy  to  be  trusted  than 
those  who  toil  up  from  poverty — none  less  inclined  to 
take  or  touch  aught  which  they  have  not  honestly 

earned. Annual  Message   to    Congress,  Dec.   J, 

1 80 1,  vol.  VII,  p.  59. 

Safety  from  Violence 

Let  not  him  who  is  houseless  pull  down  the  house 
of  another,  but  let  him  work  diligently  and  build  one 
for  himself,  thus  by  example  assuring  that  his  own 

shall  be  safe  from  violence  when  built. Reply  to 

New  York  Working-Men,  Mar.  21,  1864,  vol.  X, 

P'  54- 

Land  to  Bury  Him 

Part  with  the  land  you  have,  and,  my  life  upon  it, 
you  will  never  after  own  a  spot  big  enough  to  bury 

you   in. Letter   to   John   D.   Johnston,  Nov.   4) 

1 8 SI,  vol.11,  p.  ISO. 

Work  Where  You  Are 

If  you  intend  to  go  to  work,  there  is  no  better  place 
than  right  where  you  are;  if  you  do  not  intend  to  go 

to  work,  you  cannot  get  along  anywhere. Letter 

to  John  D.  Johnston,  Nov.  4,  1851 ,  vol.  II,  p.  I  SO, 


Anthology  ii 

Place  in  Heaven  Cheap 

You  say  you  would  almost  give  your  place  in 
heaven  for  seventy  or  eighty  dollars.  Then  you  value 
your  place  in  heaven  very  cheap,  for  I  am  sure  you 
can,  w^ith  the  offer  I  make,  get  the  seventy  or  eighty 

dollars  for  four  or  five  months'  v^ork. Letter  to 

John  D.  Johnston,  Jan.  2, 1 8 SI,  "vol.  II,  p.  I4S> 

Importance  of  Industry 

You  do  not  very  much  dislike  to  work,  and  still 
you  do  not  work  much,  merely  because  it  does  not 
seem  to  you  that  you  could  get  much  for  it.  This 
habit  of  uselessly  wasting  time  is  the  whole  difficulty; 
it  is  vastly  important  to  you,  and  still  more  so  to  your 
children,  that  you  should  break  the  habit.  It  is  more 
important  to  them,  because  they  have  longer  to  live, 
and  can  keep  out  of  an  idle  habit  before  they  are  in 

it,  easier  than  they  can  get  out  after  they  are  in. 

Letter  to  John  D.  Johnston,  Jan.  2,  iS^I ,  '^ol.  II, 
p.  144. 

Wages  of  Laborers  and  Presidents 

An  honest  laborer  digs  coal  at  about  seventy  cents 
a  day,  while  the  President  digs  abstractions  at  about 
seventy  dollars  a  day.  The  coal  is  clearly  worth 
more  than  the  abstractions,  and  yet  what  a  monstrous 
inequality  in  the  prices. Speech  on  Internal  Im- 
provements, June  20,  1S48,  vol.  II,  p.  JJ. 


12  Abraham   Lincoln 

Posterity  Pays  no  Wages 

Few  can  be  induced  to  labor  exclusively  for  pos- 
terity;   and    none    will    do    it    enthusiastically. 

Temperance  Address,  Feb.  22,  1842,  vol.  I,  p.  201. 

Inspiration  of  Hope  in  Labor 

Free  labor  has  the  inspiration  of  hope;  pure  slav- 
ery has  no  hope.     The  power  of  hope  upon  human 

exertion  and  happiness  is  wonderful. On  Slavery, 

July  1, 18 S4,  vol.  II,  p.  I8S. 

Self-interest  Universal 

Unless  among  those  deficient  of  intellect,  every- 
body you  trade  with  makes  something. Address 

on  Negro  Colonization,  Aug.  14,  1862,  vol.  VIII, 
p.  7. 

Advancement  the  Universal  Order. 

Advancement — improvement  in  condition — is  the 

order  of  things  in  a  society  of  equals. Fragment 

on  Slavery,  July  1, 18^4,  vol.  II,  p.  l8j. 

Curse  of  the  Shifted  Burden 

As  labor  is  the  common  burden  of  our  race,  so  the 
effort  of  some  to  shift  their  share  of  the  burden  onto 
the  shoulders  of  others  is  the  great  durable  curse  of 

the  race. Fragment  on  Slavery,  July  1,18^4,  vol. 

II,  p.  185. 


Anthology  13 

Must  Have  a  Job 

You  must  make  a  job  for  the  bearer  of  this — make 
a  job  of  it  with  the  collector  and  have  it  done.     You 

can  do  it  for  me  and  you  must. Letter  to  James 

Pollock,  Aug.  IS,  1861,  vol.  VI,  p.  344. 

Labor  and  its  Product 

Inasmuch  as  most  good  things  are  produced  by 
labor,  it  follows  that  all  such  things  of  right  belong 
to  those  whose  labor  has  produced  them.  But  it  has 
so  happened,  in  all  ages  of  the  world,  that  some  have 
labored,  and  others  have  without  labor  enjoyed  a 
large  proportion  of  the  fruits.  This  is  wrong,  and 
should  not  continue.  To  secure  to  each  laborer  the 
whole  product  of  his  labor,  or  as  nearly  as  possible, 

is  a  worthy  subject  of  any  good  government. Tar- 

riff  Discussion,  Dec.  I,  184J ,  "vol.  I,  p.  30J, 

"Mud-sill"  Labor  Theory 

A  Yankee  who  could  invent  a  strong-handed  man 
without  a  head  would  receive  the  everlasting  grati- 
tude of  the  "mud-sill"   advocates. Agricultural 

Address,  Sept.  30,  1 8^9,  vol.  V,  p.  2 SI. 

Wants  to  See  the  Money 

We  would  always  be  easily  satisfied,  provided  we 
could  see  the  money — but  whatever  fee  we  earn  at  a 
distance,  if  not  paid  before,  we  have  noticed,  we 


14  Abraham   Lincoln 

never  hear  of  after  the  work  is  done.     We,  therefore, 

are  growing  a  little  sensitive  on  that  point. Letter 

to  James  S.  Irwin,  Nov.  2,  1842,  vol.  XI,  p.  QQ. 

Solidarity  of  Labor 

The  strongest  bond  of  human  sympathy,  outside  of 
the  family  relation,  should  be  one  uniting  all  work- 
ing people,  of  all  nations,  and  tongues,  and  kindreds. 

Reply  to  New  York  Working-Men,  Mar.  21, 

1864,  vol.  X,  p.  S3. 

Capitalists'  Rule  of  Harmony 

These  capitalists  generally  act  harmoniously  and 
in  concert,  to  fleece  the  people,  and  now,  that  they 
have  got  into  a  quarrel  with  themselves,  we  are  called 
upon  to  appropriate  the  people's  money  to  settle  the 

quarrel. Speech  before  Illinois  Legislature,  Jan. 

18 3J,  vol.  I,  p.  24. 

Principle  of  Harmony 

The  same  spirit  says,  "You  toil  and  work  and  earn 
bread,  and  I'll  eat  it."  No  matter  in  what  shape  it 
comes,  whether  from  the  mouth  of  a  king  who  seeks 
to  bestride  the  people  of  his  own  nation  and  live 
by  the  fruit  of  their  labor,  or  from  one  race  of  men 
as  an  apology  for  enslaving  another  race,  it  is  the 
same  tyrannical  principle. Reply  at  Alton  De- 
bate, Oct.  IS,  i8s8,  vol.  V,  p.  ds. 


Anthology  15 

Satan  and  the  Bible 

He  has  warred  upon  them  as  Satan  wars  upon  the 

Bible. Reply  at  Alton  Debate,  Oct.  IS,  1858, 

vol.  V ,  p.  4S' 

God  and  the  Right  Prevail 

If  we  do  right  God  will  be  with  us,  and  if  God  is 

with  us  we  cannot  fail. Proclamation  for  Day  of^ 

Prayer,  July  J,  1 864,  vol.  X,  p.  I4g. 

Probability  of  Revelation 

If  it  is  probable  that  God  would  reveal  His  will  to 
others  on  a  point  so  connected  with  my  duty,  it  might 

be  supposed  He  would  reveal  it  directly  to  me. 

Reply  to  Committee  from  Religious  Denominations 
of  Chicago,  III.,  Sept.  1 3,  1 862,  vol.  Fill,  p.  2g. 

Men  not  Flattered  by  Veracity 

Men  are  not  flattered  by  being  shown  that  there 
has  been  a  difference  of  purpose  between  the  Al- 
mighty   and    them. Letter    to    Thurlow    Weed, 

Mar.  IS,  1 86s,  "^ol.  XI,  p.  S4- 

Neither  Magic  nor  Miracle 

The  way  these  measures  were  to  help  the  cause  was 

not  to  be  by  magic  or  miracles. Letter  to  Charles 

D.  Robinson,  Aug.  I  J,  1 864,  vol.  X.  p.  IQ4' 


1 6  Abraham   Lincoln 

Shorn  Lamb  and  Tempered  Wind 

How  true  it  is  that  "God  tempers  the  wind  to  the 
shorn  lamb,"  or  in  other  words,  that  He  renders  the 
worst  of  human  conditions  tolerable,  while  He  per- 
mits the  best  to  be  nothing  better  than  tolerable. 

Letter   to    Mary    Speed,   Sept.   2J,    184I,   vol.    I, 
p.  179, 

Not  His  Kind  of  Religion 

I  am  not  much  of  a  judge  of  religion,  but,  in  my 
opinion,  the  religion  that  sets  men  to  rebel  and  fight 
against  their  government,  because,  as  they  think,  that 
government  does  not  sufficiently  help  some  men  to 
eat  their  bread  in  the  sweat  of  other  men's  faces,  is 
not  the  sort  of  religion  upon  which  people  can  get  to 

heaven. Memorandum,  Dec.  J,  1864,  vol.  X,  p. 

280, 

Forgiveness  on  Repentance 

On  principle  I  dislike  an  oath  which  requires  a 
man  to  swear  he  has  not  done  wrong.  It  rejects 
the  Christian  principle  of  forgiveness  on  terms  of  re- 
pentance.    I  think  it  is  enough  if  the  man  does  no 

wrong    hereafter. Indorsement,   Feb.    5,    1864, 

vol.  IX,  p.  303. 

Earnestness  of  Rebel  Prayers 

The  rebel  soldiers  are  praying  with  a  great  deal 
more  earnestness,  I  fear,  than  our  own  troops,  and 


Anthology  17 

expecting  God  to  favor  their  side;  for  one  of  our  sol- 
diers .  .  .  said  that  he  met  with  nothing  so  dis- 
couraging as  the  evident  sincerity  of  those  he  was 

among   in    their   prayers. Reply    to    Committee 

from  the  Religious  Denominations  of  Chicago,  III., 
Sept.  13,  1862,  vol.  VIII,  p.  2g. 

Prayers  to  the  Same  God 

Both  read  the  same  Bible,  and  pray  to  the  same 
God;  and  each  invokes  His  aid  against  the  other.  It 
may  seem  strange  that  any  men  should  dare  to  ask  a 
just  God's  assistance  in  wringing  their  bread  from 

the  sweat  of  other  men's  faces. Second  Inaugural 

Address,  Mar.  4,  l86s,  vol.  XI,  p.  43. 

Value  of  Extemporaneous  Speaking 

Extemporaneous  speaking  should  be  practised  and 
cultivated.     It  is  the  lawyer's  avenue  to  the  public. 

Notes  for  a  Law  Lecture,  July  1 ,  1 8^0,  vol.  II, 

p.  141. 

Folly  of  Suspicion  and  Jealousy 

The  way  for  a  young  man  to  rise  is  to  improve  him- 
self every  way  he  can,  never  suspecting  that  anybody 
wishes  to  hinder  him.  Allow  me  to  assure  you  that 
suspicion  and  jealousy  never  did  help  any  man  in  any 
situation.  There  may  sometimes  be  ungenerous  at- 
tempts to  keep  a  young  man  down;  and  they  will 


1 8  Abraham   Lincoln 

succeed,  too,  if  he  allows  his  mind  to  be  diverted 
from  its  true  channel  to  brood  over  the  attempted  in- 
jury.  Letter  to  William  H.  Herndon,  July  10, 

1848,  vol.  II,  p.  S7' 

Young  Men  Must  Push 

You  must  not  wait  to  be  brought  forw^ard  by  the 
older  men.  .  .  .  You  young  men  get  together 
and  form  a  "  Rough  and  Ready  Club,"  and  have 
regular  meetings  and  speeches.  Take  in  everybody 
you  can  get.  .  .  .  Let  everyone  play  the  part  he 
can  play  best, — some  speak,  some  sing,  and  all  "hol- 
ler."  Letter  to  William  H.  Herndon,  June  22, 

1848,  vol.  II.  p.  SO. 

Safety  Assured  in  Distance 

I  think  perhaps  it  might  be  wise  to  hand  this  letter 
from  me,  in  to  your  good  uncle  through  his  room- 
window  after  he  has  had  a  comfortable  dinner,  and 

watch  its  effect  from  the  top  of  the  pigeon-house. 

Letter  to  George  E.  Pickett,  Feb.  22,  1842,  vol.  I, 

p.  igi. 

Worth  of  Man's  Self 

It  is  difficult  to  make  a  man  miserable  while  he 
feels  he  is  worthy  of  himself  and  claims  kindred  to 

the  great  God  who  made  him. Address  on  Negro 

Colonization,  Aug.  1 4,  l8d2,  vol.  VIII,  p.  J. 


Anthology  19 

Best  of  a  Bad  Bargain 

If  you  make  a  bad  bargain,  hug  it  all  the  tighter. 
— Letter  to  Joshua  F.  Speed,  Feb.  2^,  1842,  vol. 


I,  p.  213. 

Force  of  Universal  Feeling 

A  universal  feeling,  whether  well  or  ill-founded, 

cannot  be  safely  disregarded. Speech  at  Peoria, 

III.,  Oct.  16,  l8S4,  vol.  II,  p.  207. 

Pinched  Toes  and  Bad  Motives 

Ready  are  we  all  to  cry  out  and  ascribe  motives 

when  our  own  toes  are  pinched. Letter  to  Gen. 

Rosecrans,  Mar.  IJ,  1 863,  vol.  VIII,  p.  228. 

How  TO  Make  Friends 

"A  drop  of  honey  catches  more  flies  than  a  gallon 
of  gall."  So  with  men.  If  you  would  win  a  man  to 
your  cause,  first  convince  him  that  you  are  his  sincere 
friend.  Therein  is  a  drop  of  honey  which  catches 
his  heart,  which,  say  what  he  will,  is  the  great  high- 
road  to   his   reason. Temperance  Address,  Feb. 

22, 1842,  vol.  I,  p.  igy. 

Maxim  to  Remember 

Now,  boy,  on  your  march,  don't  you  go  and  forget 
the  old  maxim  that  "one  drop  of  honey  catches  more 


20  Abraham   Lincoln 

flies  than  a  half-gallon  of  gall."     Load  your  musket 

with  this  maxim,   and  smoke  it  in  your  pipe. 

Letter  to  George  E.  Pickett,  Feb.  22,  1842,  vol.  I, 

p.  ig2. 

Better  Part  of  Life 

The  better  part  of  one's  life  consists  of  his  friend- 
ships.  Letter  to  Joseph  Gillespie,  July  I  J,  1849, 

vol.JJ,p.I2S> 

Effects  of  Misrepresextation 

When  a  man  hears  himself  somewhat  misrepresent- 
ed, it  provokes  him — at  least,  I  find  it  so  with  myself ; 
but  when  misrepresentation  becomes  very  gross  and 

palpable,  it  is  more  apt  to  amuse  him. Reply  at 

Ottawa  Debate,  Aug.  21,  1838,  n)ol.  Ill,  p.  22 J. 

Silence  not  Always  Safe 

It  is  not  entirely  safe,  when  one  is  misrepresented 
under  his  very  nose,  to  allow  the  misrepresentation  to 

go    uncontradicted. Speech    at    Columbus,    O., 

Sept.  16,  l8S9,  vol.  V ,  p.  141. 

Relief  for  Embarrassment 

When  one  is  embarrassed,  usually  the  shortest  way 
to  get  through  with  it  is  to  quit  talking  or  thinking 
about  it,  and  go  at  something  else. Speech  at  Cin- 
cinnati, O.,  Sept.  IJ,  l8S9,  vol.  V ,  p.  I  go. 


Anthology  21 

Act  Well  Your  Part 

He  who  does  something  at  the  head  of  one  regi- 
ment, will  eclipse  him  who  does  nothing  at  the  head 

of  a  hundred. Letter  to  Gen.  Hunter,  Dec.  JI, 

1861,  vol.  VII,  p.  70. 

Military  Successes  Wanted 

Only  those  generals  who  gain  successes  can  set  up 
dictators.  What  I  now  ask  of  you  is  military  suc- 
cess, and  I  will  risk  the  dictatorship. Letter  to 

Gen.  Hooker,  Jan.  2d,  1 863,  vol.  VIII,  p.  20J. 

No  Holidays  in  War  Times 

War  does  not  admit  of  holidays. Letter  to  T» 

H.  Clay,  Oct.  8,  1862,  vol.  VIII,  p.  55. 

Rose-water  Warfare 

Would  you  drop  the  war  where  it  is?  Or  would 
you  prosecute  it  in  future  with  elderstalk  squirts 

charged    with    rose-water? Letter    to    Cuthbert 

Bullitt,  July  28, 1862,  vol.  VII,  p.  2g7. 

Carried  away  by  Cowardly  Legs 

If  the  Lord  gives  a  man  a  pair  of  cowardly  legs, 

how  can  he  help  their  running  away  with  him? 

Telegram  to  Gen.  Meade,  Sept.  II,  1863,  vol.  IX, 
p.  117. 


22  Abraham  Lincoln 

Cesar's  Heart  with  Falstaff's  Legs 

''Captain,  I  have  as  brave  a  heart  as  Julius  Caesar 
ever  had;  but,  somehow  or  other,  whenever  danger 
approaches,  my  cowardly  legs  will  run  away  with  it." 

Speech    on    the   Sub-treasury,  Dec.   20,   iSjQ, 

vol.  I,  p.  136. 

Only  McClellan's  Body-guard 

It  is  called  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  but  it  is  only 
McClellan's  body-guard.  ...  If  McClellan  is  not 
using  the  Army  I  should  like  to  borrow  it  for  awhile. 

Letter  to  Gen.  McClellan,  Apr.  Q,  1862,  vol. 

VII,  p.  141. 

Color  of  Julius  Cesar's  Hair 

I  personally  wish  Jacob  Freese,  of  New  Jersey,  to 
be  appointed  colonel  of  a  colored  regiment,  and  this 
regardless  of  whether  he  can  tell  the  exact  shade  of 

Julius  Caesar's  hair. Note  to  Sec.  Stanton,  Nov. 

II,  1863,  vol.  IX,  p.  206. 

To  Capture  the  Man  in  the  Moon 

To  move  down  the  Cumberland  Valley,  will,  in 
my  unprofessional  opinion,  be  quite  as  likely  to  cap- 
ture the  "man  in  the  moon"  as  any  part  of  Lee's  army. 

Telegram  to  Gen.  Thomas,  July  8,  1863,  "vol. 

IX,  p.  23. 


Anthology  23 

Generalships  not  Plentiful 

You  must  know  that  major-generalships   in   the 

regular  army  are  not  as  plenty  as  blackberries. 

Telegram  to  R.  Yates  and  William  Butler,  Apr.  10, 
1862,  vol.  VII,  p.  145. 

Let  the  Crop  Go  to  Waste 

I  believed  that  General  Meade  and  his  noble  army 
had  expended  all  the  skill,  and  toil,  and  blood,  up 
to  the  ripe  harvest,  and  then  let  the  crop  go  to  vs^aste. 

Letter  to  Gen.  Howard,  July  21,  l86j,  vol. 

IX,  p.  SQ. 

Board  at  Home  and  Attack  Enemy 

I  understand  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  is  very 
near  you,  so  near  that  you  could  "board  at  home,"  so 
to  speak,  and  menace  or  attack  him  any  day. Tele- 
gram to  Gen.  Rosecrans,  Oct.  4>  l86j,  vol.  IX,  p. 

154- 

'Animal  Very  Sliai  Somewhere 

If  the  head  of  Lee's  army  is  at  Martinsburg  and 
the  tail  of  it  on  the  plank  road  between  Fredericks- 
burg and  Chancellorsville,  the  animal  must  be  very 

slim  somewhere.     Could  you  not  break  him? ■ 

Telegram    to    Gen.   Hooker,  June    14,    l86j^    vol. 

VIII,  p.  31  s. 


24  Abraham   Lincoln 

Going  in  and  Coming  Out 

The  most  interesting  news  we  now  have  is  from 
Sherman.     We  all  know  w^here  he  went  in,  but  I 

can't   tell  where  he  will  come  out. Response  to  a 

Serenade,  Dec.  6,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  j*//. 

Heroic  Confederate  Recruiting 

We  are  contending  with  an  enemy,  who,  as  I  un- 
derstand, drives  every  able-bodied  man  he  can  reach 
into  his  ranks,  very  much  as  a  butcher  drives  bul- 
locks into  a  slaughter-pen. Letter  to  Gov.  Sey- 
mour, Aug.  J,  1 86 J,  vol.  IX,  p.  60. 

Holding  On  With  Bull-Dog  Grip 

Hold  on  with   a  bull-dog  grip,   and  chew  and 

choke   as   much   as   possible Telegram    to    Gen. 

Grant,  Aug.  I  J,  1 864,  vol.  X,  p.  IQJ. 

Loss  OF  Enemies  Not  a  Gain 

The  loss  of  enemies  does  not  compensate  for  the 

loss  of  friends. Telegram  to  Sec.  Seward,  June 

30,  1862,  vol.  VII,  p.  24 S> 

Let  the  Thing  Be  Pressed 

Gen.  Sheridan  says  "If  the  thing  be  pressed  I 
think  that  Lee  will  surrender."     Let  the  thing  be 

pressed. Telegram  to  Gen,  Grant,  Apr.  J,  180$, 

vol.  XI,  p.  J  J. 


Anthology  25 

Flourishing  on  the  Skewhorn  Principle 

Doubtless  a  small  force  of  the  enemy  is  flourishing 
about  in  the  northern  part  of  Virginia  on  the  "skew- 
horn"  principle. Telegram  to  Gov.  Curtin,  Apr. 

28,  1863,  vol.  FIIIj  p.  2S7. 

Hold  Position  and  Hive  Enemy 

If  you  can  hold  your  present  position,  we  shall 

hive  the  enemy  yet. Telegram  to  Gen.  McClel- 

lan,  July  5, 1862,  vol.  VII,  p.  261. 

Smoky  Localities  Held  Responsible 

Experience  has  already  taught  us  in  this  war  that 
holding  these  smoky  localities  responsible  for  the 
conflagrations  within  them  has  a  very  salutary  effect. 

Letter  to  J.  R.  Underwood  and  H.  Grider,  Oct. 

26,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  2S4' 

Rank  on  Paper  a  Small  Matter 

Truth  to  speak,  I  do  not  appreciate  this  matter  of 

rank  on  paper  as  you  officers  do. Tetter  to  Gen. 

Rosecrans,  Mar.  I  J,  1 86 3,  vol.  VIII,  p.  228. 

Merely  a  Question  of  Legs 

Assuming  this,  it  is  for  you  a  question  of  legs. 

Put  in  all  the  speed  you  can. Telegram  to  Gen. 

McDowell,  May  28,  1862,  vol.  VII,  p.  IQ8, 


26  Abraham   Lincoln 

On  the  Fence 

I  would  not  take  any  risk  of  being  entangled  upon 
the  river,  like  an  ox  jumped  half  over  a  fence  and 
liable  to  be  torn  by  dogs  front  and  rear  without  a 

fair  chance  to  gore  one  way  or  kick  the  other. 

Telegram  to  Gen.  Hooker,  June  ^,  1 86 J,  vol.  VIII, 
p.  2g2. 

Uncle  Sam's  Web-Feet 

Nor  must  Uncle  Sam's  web-feet  be  forgotten.     At 

all  the  watery  margins  they  have  been  present. 

Letter  to  James  C.  Conkling,  Aug.  26,  l86j,  vol. 
IX,  p.  loi. 

Walking  to  Save  Skin 

Does  Joe  Heiskell's  "walking  to  meet  us"  mean 
any  more  than  that  "Joe"  was  scared  and  wanted  to 

save  his  skin? Telegram  to  Gov.  Johnson^  Aug. 

2,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  Ijg. 

Way  to  Succeed  Is  to  Try 

I  say  "try";  if  we  never  try,  we  shall  never  suc- 
ceed.  Letter  to  Gen.  McClellan,  Oct.  1 3,  1862, 

vol.  VIII,  p.  SQ. 

Adjusting  Taxes  Exactly 

If  we  should  wait  before  collecting  a  tax,  to  ad- 
just the  taxes  upon  each  man  in  exact  proportion 


Anthology  27 

with  every  other  man,  we  should  never  collect  any 

tax   at   all. Address   to    164th    Ohio   Regiment, 

Aug.  18,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  200. 

Any  Thinking  Better  Than  None 

It  is  better  only  sometimes  to  be  right  than  at  all 
times  to  be  wrong. Address  to  the  People  of  San- 
gamon Co.,  Mar.  g,  l8j2,  vol.  I,  p.  8. 

Working  Together  Brings  Success 

We  can  succeed  only  by  concert.  It  is  not  "Can 
any  of  us  imagine  better?"  but,  "can  we  all  do  bet- 
ter?"  Annual    Message    to     Congress,    Dec.    I, 

1862,  vol.  VIII,  p.  130. 

Deeds,  Not  Words,  Wanted 

Tell  him,  when  he  starts,  to  put  it  through — not 
to  be  writing  or  telegraphing  back  here,  but  put  it 

through. Letter  to  Sec.  Cameron,  June  20, 1861, 

vol.  VI,  p.  2g4. 

How  to  Get  Things  Done 

Determine  that  the  thing  can  and  shall  be  done, 
and  then  we  shall  find  the  way.  .  .  .  How  to  do 
something  and  still  not  do  too  much  is  the  desidera- 
tum.  Speech  on  Internal  Improvements,  June  20, 

1848,  vol.  II,  p.  46, 


28  Abraham  Lincoln 

Practice  the  Best  Proof 

Practice  proves  more  than  theory,  in  any  case. 

Annual  Message   to   Congress,  Dec.   I,  1862,  vol. 
VIII,  p.  128. 

More  Than  Breath  Wanted 

The  North  responds  to  the  proclamation  suffi- 
ciently in  breath;  but  breath  alone  kills  no  rebels. 
Letter  to  Hannibal  Hamlin,  Sept.  28, 1 802,  vol. 

VIII,  p.  50, 

In  His  Own  Good  Time 

I  shall  do  more  whenever  I  shall  believe  doing 

more  will  help  the  cause. Letter  to  Charles  D. 

Robinson,  Aug.  I  J,  1 864,  vol.  X,  p.  IQ4' 

Vigilance  Is  the  Price  of  Success 

It  will  neither  be  done  nor  attempted,  unless  you 
watch  it  every  day  and  hour,  and  force  it. Tele- 
gram to  Gen.  Grant,  Aug.  J,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  180. 

President  in  Name  and  Fact 

I  propose  continuing  to  be  myself  the  judge  as  to 
when  a  member  of  the  Cabinet  shall  be  dismissed. 
Letter  to  Sec.  Stanton,  July  14,  1 864,  vol.  X,  />, 


Anthology  29 

Not  Fooled  by  Girls 

Others  have  been  made  fools  of  by  the  girls,  but 
this  can  never  with  truth  be  said  of  me.  I  most  em- 
phatically, in  this  instance,  made  a  fool  of  myself. 

Letter  to  Mrs.  O.  H.  Browning,  Apr.  I,  1838, 

vol.  I,  p.  g2. 

Feeling  Toward  Women 

Whatever  woman  may  cast  her  lot  with  mine, 
should  any  ever  do  so,  it  is  my  intention  to  do  all  in 
my  power  to  make  her  happy  and  contented;  and 
there  is  nothing  I  can  imagine  that  would  make  me 

more  unhappy  than  to  fail  in  the  effort. Letter 

to  Miss  Mary  Owens,  May  y,  183J,  vol.  I,  p.  SS- 

Not  Satisfied  With  Blockheads 

I  have  now  come  to  the  conclusion  never  again 
to  think  of  marrying,  and  for  this  reason — I  can 
never  be  satisfied  with  anyone  who  would  be  block- 
head  enough    to   have   me. Letter   to   Mrs.    O. 

H.  Browning,  Apr.  I,  l8j8,  vol.  I,  p.  g2. 

Plead  Only  What  You  Must 

In  law,  it  is  good  policy  to  never  plead  what  you 
need  not,  lest  you  oblige  yourself  to  prove  what  you 

cannot. Letter  to  U.  F.  Linder,  Feb.  20,  1848, 

vol.  II,  p.  J. 


30  Abraham   Lincoln 

Honor  for  Women 

I  want  in  all  cases  to  do  right,  and  most  particu- 
larly so  in  all  cases  with  women. Letter  to  Miss 

Mary  Oil- ens,  Aug.  1 6,  l8jj,  "coL  I,  p.  jO. 

M.\RRYiNG  Southern  Girls 

We  mean  to  marry*  your  girls  when  we  have  a 
chance — the  white  ones,  I  mean,  and  I  have  the  honor 
to  inform  you  that  I  once  did  have  a  chance  in  that 

way. Speech  at  Cincinnati,  O.,  Sept.  I  J,  iSjQ, 

vol.  V,  p.  2 1 8. 

Gc©  Bless  the  Women 

I  am  not  accustomed  to  the  use  of  language  of 
eulogy;  I  have  never  studied  the  art  of  paying  com- 
pliments to  women;  but  I  must  say,  that  if  all  that 
has  been  said  by  orators  and  poets  since  the  creation 
of  the  world  in  praise  of  women  were  applied  to  the 
w^omen  of  America,  it  would  not  do  them  justice  for 
their  conduct  during  this  war.  I  will  close  by  say- 
ing, God  bless  the  women  of  America. Remarks 

on  Closing  Sanitary  Fair  in  JFashington,  Mar.  iS, 
1864,  'vol.  X,  p.  48. 

Good  La\^ter  in  a  B.ad  Case 

I  have  sometimes  seen  a  good  lawyer,  struggling 
for  his  client's  neck  in  a  desperate  case,  employing 


Anthology  31 

even'  artifice  to  work  round,  befog  and  cover  up 
with  many  words  some  point  arising  in  the  case 
which  he  dared  not  admit  and  yet  could  not  deny. 
Mexican  JJar  Speech,  Jan.  12,  1 848,  vol.  I,  p. 

337- 

Groomsmax  to  His  Rhwl 

In  getting  Baker  the  nomination  I  shall  be  fixed 
a  good  deal  like  a  fellow  who  is  made  a  groomsman 
to  a  man  that  has  cut  him  out  and  is  marrying  his 

own  dear  ''gal." Letter  to  Joshua  F.  Speed,  Mar. 

24,  1843,  vol.  I,  p.  261. 

Re.\dy  to  H.\xg  the  Paxel 

A  jur}"  too  frequently  has  at  least  one  member 
more   ready  to  hang  the  panel   than   to   hang  the 

traitor. Letter    to    Erastus    Corning,    June    12, 

1 80  J,  vol.  FIJI,  p.  JO  J. 

Mob  Law  Xot  a  Redress 

There  is  no  grievance  that  is  a  fit  object  of  redress 

by  mob  law. Lyceum  Address,  Jan.  2/,  l8j/, 

vol.  I,  p.  44. 

Se\trity  Xot  Best  PoLici' 

The  severest  justice  may  not  always  be  the  best 
policv. Message  to  Congress,  July  I  J,  1 86 2,  voK 

fit:  p.  2  S3. 


32  Abraham   Lincoln 

Lawyers  as  Peace-Makers 

Discourage  litigation.  Persuade  your  neighbor 
to  compromise  whenever  you  can.  ...  As  a 
peace-maker  the  lawyer  has  a  superior  opportunity 
of  being  a  good  man.     There  will  still  be  business 

enough. Notes  for  a  Law  Lecture,  July  I,  l8jO, 

vol.  II,  p.  142. 

No  Wrong  Without  a  Remedy 

It  is  a  maxim  held  by  the  courts,  that  there  is  no 
wrong  without  its  remedy;  and  the  courts  have  a 
remedy  for  whatever  is  acknowledged  and  treated 

as   a  wrong. Reply  at  Jonesboro  Debate,  Sept. 

IS,  1858,  vol.  IV,  p.  60. 

Life  More  Than  Limb 

By  general  law,  life  and  limb  must  be  protected, 
yet  often  a  limb  must  be  amputated  to  save  a  life; 

but  a  life  is  never  wisely  given  to  save  a  limb. • 

Letter  to  A.  G.  Hodges,  Apr.  4,  1 864,  vol.  X,  p.  60. 

An  Honest  Lawyer  or  Not  at  All 

Let  no  young  man  choosing  the  law  for  a  calling 
for  a  moment  yield  to  the  popular  belief — resolve  to 
be  honest  at  all  events;  and  if  in  your  own  judgment 
you  cannot  be  an  honest  lawyer,  resolve  to  be  honest 

without  being  a  lawyer. Notes  for  a  Law  Lecture, 

July  I,  l8S0,  vol.  II,  p.  14 J. 


Anthology  33 

Leading  Rule  for  All  Callings 

The  leading  rule  for  the  lawyer,  as  for  the  man  of 
every  other  calling,  is  diligence.     Leave  nothing  for 

to-morrow  which  can  be  done  to-day. Notes  for 

a  Law  Lecture,  July  I,  1 8^0,  vol.  II,  p.  14I' 

How  Public  Purpose  Is  Indicated 

The  most  reliable  indication  of  public  purpose  In 
this  country  is  derived  through  our  popular  elec- 
tions.  Annual    Message    to    Congress,    Dec.    6, 

1864,  vol.  X,  p.  304. 

Trust  the  People  With  Their  Own 

We  see  it,  and  to  us  it  appears  like  principle,  and 
the  best  sort  of  principle  at  that — the  principle  of 
allowing  the  people  to  do  as  they  please  with  their 

own    business. Speech    in    Congress,    July    ZJ , 

1848,  vol.  II,  p.  64. 

Dissolution  of  the  Union  Impossible 

All  this  talk  about  the  dissolution  of  the  Union  is 
humbug,  nothing  but  folly.  We  do  not  want  to  dis- 
solve the  Union ;  you  shall  not. Speech  at  Galena, 

III.,  Aug.  I ,  l8s6,  "Vol.  II,  p.  ZQS. 

Spirit  of  the  Constitution 

It  is  said  the  devil  takes  care  of  his  own.  Much 
more  should  a  good  spirit — the  spirit  of  the  Consti- 


34  Abraham   Lincoln 

tution  and  the  Union — take  care  of  its  own.     I  think 

it  cannot  do  less  and  live. Opinion  on  Admission 

of  West  Virginia,  Dec.  JI,  1 862,  vol.  VIII,  p.  IS8. 

Allaying  Plaster  an  Irritant 

That   very   allaying   plaster   of   Judge    Douglas' 

stirred  it  up  again. Reply  at  Alton  Debate,  Oct, 

15, 1S5S,  vol.  V,  p.  45- 

Cure  for  Artificial  Crisis 

This  crisis  is  altogether  artificial.  It  has  no 
foundation  in  fact.  It  can't  be  argued  up,  and  it 
can't  be  argued  down.     Let  it  alone,  and  it  will  go 

down  of  itself. Address  at  Cleveland,  0.,  Feb. 

i^,  iSOi,  vol.  VI,  p.  131. 

Laws  Among  Aliens  and  Friends 

Can  aliens  make  treaties  easier  than  friends  can 
make  laws?  Can  treaties  be  more  faithfully  en- 
forced between  aliens  than  laws  can  among  friends? 

First  Inaugural  Address,  Mar.  4,   1861 ,  vol. 

VI,  p.  181. 

Union  Forever  at  Any  Cost 

If  I  could  save  the  Union  without  freeing  any 
slave,  I  would  do  it;  and  if  I  could  save  it  by  freeing 
all  the  slaves,  I  would  do  it;  and  if  I  could  save  it 


Anthology  35 

by  freeing  some  and  leaving  others  alone,  I  would 
also  do  that. Letter  to  Horace  Greeley,  Aug.  22, 

1862,  vol.  Fill,  p.  16. 

Devoted  to  Peace  and  Brotherhood 

With  my  consent,  or  without  my  great  displeas- 
ure, this  country  shall  never  witness  the  shedding 

of  one  drop  of  blood  in  fraternal  strife. Reply  to 

Gov.  Curtin,  Feb.  22,  1861,  vol.  VI,  p.  161, 

SUGAR-COATED  REBELLION 

With  rebellion  thus  sugar-coated,  they  have  been 
drugging  the  public  mind  of  their  section  for  more 

than  thirty  years. Message  to  Congress,  July  4, 

1861,  vol.  VI,  p.  313. 

No  Chickens  From  Smashed  Eggs 

Concede  that  the  new  government  of  Louisiana  is 
only  what  it  should  be,  as  the  egg  to  the  fowl,  we 
shall  sooner  have  the  fowl  by  hatching  the  egg  than 

by  smashing  it. Last  Public  Address,  Apr.  II, 

l8dS,  vol.  XI,  p.  gi. 

Thorn  in  Animal's  Vitals 

This  rebellion  can  only  eke  out  a  short  and  feeble 
existence,  as  an  animal  sometimes  may  with  a  thorn 
in  its  vitals. Letter  to  Gen.  Halleck,  Sept.  21, 

1863,  vol.  IX,  p.  132, 


36  Abraham   Lincoln 

Foul  Bird  and  Dirty  Reptile 

Every  foul  bird  comes  abroad  and  every  dirty  rep- 
tile  rises   up. Letter  to   Charles  D.  Drake  and 

Others,  Oct.  5, 1 863,  vol.  IX,  p.  757. 

Quiet  Past  and  Stormy  Present 

The  dogmas  of  the  quiet  past  are  inadequate  to  the 

stormy   present. Annual   Message    to    Congress, 

Dec.  I,  1862,  vol.  VIII,  p.  131. 

No  Mending  for  Broken  Eggs 

Broken  eggs  cannot  be  mended;  but  Louisiana 
has  nothing  to  do  now  but  to  take  her  place  in  the 
Union  as  it  was,  barring  the  already  broken  eggs. 

Letter  to  August  Belmont,  July  3I,  1862,  vol. 

VII,  p.  2gg. 

Stopping  One  Leak  to  Open  Another 

Do  we  gain  anything  by  opening  one  leak  to  stop 
another?  Do  we  gain  anything  by  quieting  one 
clamor   merely   to   open    another,    and    probably   a 

larger  one? Telegram  to   Col.  A.  K.  McClure, 

June  JO,  1863,  vol.  IX,  p.  14. 

Politicians  and  Honest  Men 

This  work  is  exclusively  the  work  of  politicians; 
a  set  of  men  who  have  interests  aside  from  the  inter- 


Anthology  37 

ests  of  the  people,  and  who,  to  say  the  most  of  them, 
are.  taken  as  a  mass,  at  least  one  long  step  removed 
from  honest  men.  I  say  this  with  the  greater  free- 
dom because,  being  a  politician  myself,   none  can 

regard  it  as  personal. Bank  Speech,  Jan.,  l8jj, 

vol.  I,  p.  2'/. 

Paying  the  Fiddler  Generously 

It  is  an  old  maxim  and  a  very  sound  one  that  he 
that  dances  should  always  pay  the  fiddler.  Now,  sir, 
if  any  gentlemen,  whose  money  is  a  burden  to  them, 
choose  to  lead  ofif  a  dance,  I  am  decidedly  opposed 
to  the  people's  money  being  used  to  pay  the  fiddler. 

Speech  before  Illinois  Legislature,  Jan.,  l8jj, 

vol.  I,  p.  2 J. 

Vulnerable  Heels  Make  Fast  Time 

"The  Democrats  are  vulnerable  in  the  heel  but 
they  are  sound  in  the  head  and  the  heart."  The 
first  branch  of  the  figure — that  is,  that  the  Demo- 
crats are  vulnerable  in  the  heel — I  admit  is  not 
merely  figuratively,  but  literally  true.  ...  It 
seems  that  this  malady  of  their  heels  operates  on  these 
sound-minded  and  honest-hearted  creatures  very 
much  like  the  cork  leg  in  the  comic  song  did  on  its 
owner:  which,  when  he  had  once  got  started  on  it, 
the  more  he  tried  to  stop  it,  the  more  it  would  run 

away. Speech  on  Sub-Treasury,  Dec.  20,  iSjQ, 

vol.  I,  p.  136. 


38  Abraham  Lincoln 

Not  Last,  but  Never  to  Desert 

Many  free  countries  have  lost  their  liberty,  and 
ours  may  lose  hers;  but  if  she  shall,  be  it  my  proud- 
est plume,  not  that  I  was  the  last  to  desert,  but  that 

I   never  deserted  her. Speech   on  Sub-treasury, 

Dec.  20,  18 Sg,  vol.  I,  p.  I3J. 

Piloting  the  Ship  of  State 

As  a  pilot  I  have  used  my  best  exertions  to  keep 
afloat  our  Ship  of  State,  and  shall  be  glad  to  resign 
my  trust  at  the  appointed  time  to  another  pilot  more 

skillful  and  successful  than  I  may  prove. Reply 

to  Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  May  JO,  l8dj, 
vol.  Fill,  p.  288. 

Save  the  Country  First 

Let  the  friends  of  the  government  first  save  the 
government  and  then  administer  it  to  their  own  lik- 
ing.  Letter  to  Henry  Winter  Davis,  Mar.  18, 

1863,  vol.  Fill,  p.  22g. 

A  New  Nation  Conceived  in  Liberty 

Fourscore  and  seven  years  ago  our  fathers  brought 
forth  on  this  continent  a  new  nation,  conceived  in 
liberty,  and  dedicated  to  the  proposition  that  all  men 

are  created  equal. Gettysburg  Address,  Nov.  IQ, 

1 86 J,  vol.  IX,  p.  20g. 


Anthology  39 

Putting  the  Foot  Down  Firmly 

The  man  does  not  live  who  is  more  devoted  to 
peace  than  I  am,  but  it  may  be  necessary  to  put  the 
foot  down  firmly. Address  to  New  Jersey  Assem- 
bly, Feb.  21,  1861,  vol.  VI,  p.  IS4' 

Progressive  Conservatism 

I  am  very  glad  the  elections  this  autumn  have 
gone  favorably,  and  that  I  have  not,  by  native  de- 
pravity or  under  evil  influences,  done  anything  bad 
enough  to  prevent  the  good  result.  I  hope  to 
"stand  firm"  enough  to  not  go  backward,  and  yet  not 
go  forward  fast  enough  to  wreck  the  country's  cause. 

Letter  to  Zachariah  Chandler,  Nov.  20,  l86j, 

vol.  IX,  p.  213. 

Devotion  to  the  Union 

I  have  said  nothing  but  what  I  am  willing  to  live 
by,  and,  if  it  be  the  pleasure  of  Almighty  God,  to 
die  by. Address  in  Independence  Hall,  Philadel- 
phia, Feb.  22,  1861,  vol.  VI,  p.  ISO. 

Self-Government  and  Despotism 

When  the  white  man  governs  himself,  that  is  self- 
government;  but  when  he  governs  himself  and  also 
governs  another  man,  that  is  more  than  self-govern- 
ment— that  is  despotism. Speech  at  Peoria,  III., 

Oct.  16,  l8S4,  vol.  II,  p.  22J. 


40  Abraham   Lincoln 

*'BUTS"  AND  "Ifs"  and  "ANDS" 

The  man  who  stands  by  and  says  nothing  when  the 
peril  of  his  government  is  discussed,  cannot  be  mis- 
understood. If  not  hindered,  he  is  sure  to  help  the 
enemy;  much  more  if  he  talks  ambiguously — talks  for 

his  country  with  "huts,"  and  "ifs,"  and  "ands." 

Letter  to  Erastus  Corning,  June  12,  1 86 J,  vol,  VIII, 

P'  305- 

Voters  Who  Vote  the  Real  Power 

It  is  not  the  qualified  voters,  but  the  qualified  vot- 
ers who  choose  to  vote,  that  constitute  the  political 

power   of   the    State. Opinion   on   Admission    of 

West  Virginia,  Dec.  JI,  1862,  vol.  VIII,  p.  JSJ. 

Preservation  of  Liberty  a  Duty 

If  there  is  anything  which  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
w^hole  people  to  never  intrust  to  any  hands  but 
their  own,  that  thing  is  the  preservation  and  perpe- 
tuity  of   their   own    liberties    and    institutions. 

Speech  at  Peoria,  III,  Oct.  1 6,  l8S4,  "^ol.  II,  p.  233. 

Ballots,  Not  Bullets,  Give  Victory 

To  give  the  victory  to  the  right,  not  bloody  bul- 
lets, but  peaceful  ballots  only  are  necessary.  Thanks 
to  our  good  old  Constitution,  and  organization  under 
it,   these   alone   are   necessary.     It  only  needs   that 


Anthology  41 

every  right  thinking  man  shall  go  to  the  polls,  and 

without  fear  or  prejudice  vote  as  he  thinks. Notes 

for  Speeches,  Oct.  I,  1838,  vol.  IV,  p.  23^. 

No  Appeal  from  Ballot  to  Bullet 

Among  free  men  there  can  be  no  successful  appeal 
from  the  ballot  to  the  bullet,  and  they  who  take  such 
appeal  are  sure  to  lose  their  case  and  pay  the  cost. 

Letter  to  James  C.  Conkling,  Aug.  26,  l86j, 

vol.  IX,  p.  lOI. 

True  Law  of  Divine  Right 

No  man  is  good  enough  to  govern  another  man 

without  that  other's  consent. Speech  at  Peoria, 

III,  Oct.  16,  18 S4,  vol.  II,  p.  228. 

Preparation  for  Tyranny 

Familiarize  yourself  with  the  chains  of  bondage 
and  you  prepare  your  own  limbs  to  wear  them.  Ac- 
customed to  trample  on  the  rights  of  others,  you 
have  lost  the  genius  of  your  own  independence  and 
become  the  fit  subject  of  the  first  cunning  tyrant 

who   rises   among  you. Fragment  of  Speech   at 

Edwardsville,  III.,  Sept.  1 3,  1838,  vol.  XI,  p.  1 10. 

Individual  Rights  a  Natural  Law 

I  believe  each  individual  is  naturally  entitled  to 
do  as  he  pleases  with  himself  and  the  fruit  of  his 


42  Abraham   Lincoln 

labor,  so  far  as  it  in  no  wise  interferes  with  any 

other  man's  rights. Speech  at  Chicago,  III.,  July 

10,  1838,  vol.  Ill,  p.  35. 

Equality  in  Society 

Equality  in  society  alike  beats  inequality,  whether 
the  latter  be  of  the  British  aristocratic  sort  or  of  the 

domestic  slavery  sort. On  Slavery,  July  1 ,  1834^ 

vol.  II,  p.  184. 

All  Men  Created  Equal 

Our  progress  in  degeneracy  appears  to  me  to  be 
pretty  rapid.  As  a  nation  we  began  by  declaring 
that  "all  men  are  created  equal."  We  now  prac- 
tically read  it  "all  men  are  created  equal,  except 
negroes."  When  the  Know-nothings  get  control,  it 
will  read  "all  men  are  created  equal  except  negroes 
and  foreigners  and  Catholics."  When  it  comes  to 
this,  I  shall  prefer  emigrating  to  some  country  where 
they  make  no  pretence  of  loving  liberty, — to  Russia, 
for  instance,  where  despotism  can  be  taken  pure,  and 

without  the  base  alloy  of  hypocrisy. Letter  to 

Joshua  F.  Speed,  Aug.  24,  l8S5,  vol.  II,  p.  28 J. 

The  Law  of  Liberty 

I  am  for  the  people  of  the  whole  nation  doing  just 
as  they  please  in  all  matters  which  concern  the 
whole  nation;  for  those  of  each  part  doing  just  as 


Anthology  43 

they  choose  in  all  matters  which  concern  no  other 
part;    and    for   each    individual    doing   just   as    he 

chooses  in  all  matters  which  concern  nobody  else. 

Notes  for  Speeches,  Oct.  I,  l8^8,  vol.  IV,  p.  2JI. 

Object  of  Government 

The  legitimate  object  of  government  is  to  do  for 
a  community  of  people  whatever  they  need  to  have 
done,  but  cannot  do  at  all,  or  cannot  so  well  do,  for 
themselves,  in  their  separate  and  individual  capaci- 
ties. In  all  that  the  people  can  individually  do  as 
well  for  themselves,  government  ought  not  to  inter- 
fere.  On  Government,  July  I,  l8^4)  '^^^'  ^^f  P' 

186, 

Government  by  Majority 

I  reiterate  that  the  majority  should  rule.  If  I 
adopt  a  wrong  policy,  the  opportunity  for  condemna- 
tion will  occur  in  four  years'  time.  Then  I  can  be 
turned  out,  and  a  better  man  with  better  views  put 

in  my  place. Address  at  Steubenville,  O.,  Feb. 

14, 1861,  vol.  VI,  p.  123. 

Nature  of  Political  Sovereignty 

What  is  "sovereignty"  in  the  political  sense  of  the 
term?  Would  it  be  far  wrong  to  define  it  "a  polit- 
ical community  without  a  political  superior?" 

Message  to  Congress,  July  4,  1861 ,  vol.  VI,  p.  3^5' 


44  Abraham   Lincoln 

True  Popular  Sovereignty 

I  think  a  definition  of  "popular  sovereignty,"  in 
the  abstract,  would  be  about  this:  That  each  man 
shall  do  precisely  as  he  pleases  with  himself,  and  with 
all  those  things  that  exclusively  concern  him  .  .  . 
that  a  general  government  shall  do  all  those  things 
which  pertain  to  it,  and  all  the  local  governments 
shall  do  precisely  as  they  please  in  respect  to  those 

matters  which  exclusively  concern  them. Speech 

at  Columbus,  O.,  Sept.  id,  1859,  vol.  V,  p.  149. 

French  Cook  and  Potato  Soups 

Coming  to  the  substance,  the  first  point,  "popular 
sovereignty."  It  is  to  be  labeled  upon  the  cars  in 
which  he  travels;  put  upon  the  hacks  he  rides  in; 
to  be  flaunted  upon  the  arches  he  passes  under,  and 
the  banners  which  wave  over  him.  It  is  to  be  dished 
up  in  as  many  varieties  as  a  French  cook  can  pro- 
duce soups  from  potatoes. Speech  at  Springfield, 

III,  July  17,  1858,  vol.  in,  p.  160. 

Equality  and  Prosperity 

When  we  were  the  political  slaves  of  King  George, 
and  wanted  to  be  free,  we  called  the  maxim  that  "all 
men  are  created  equal"  a  self-evident  truth,  but  now 
when  we  have  grown  fat,  and  have  lost  all  dread  of 
being  slaves  ourselves,  w^e  have  become  so  greedy  to 
be  masters  that  we  call  the  same  maxim  "a  self-evi- 


Anthology  45 

dent  lie."  The  Fourth  of  July  has  not  quite  dwin- 
dled away;  it  is  still  a  great  day — for  burning  fire- 
crackers!!!  Letter  to  George  Robertson,  Aug  I^, 

1855,  vol.  II,  p.  2jg. 

Douglas'  "Popular  Sovereignty" 

He  discovered  that  the  right  to  breed  and  flog  ne- 
groes   in   Nebraska   was    popular    sovereignty. 

Speech  at  Paris,  III,  Sept.  8,  1838,  vol.  XI,  p.  106. 

The  Isolation  of  Genius 

Towering    genius    disdains    a    beaten    path. 

Lyceum  Address,  Ian.  2J,  l8jj,  vol.  I,  p.  4^. 

Smoke  the  Best  Witness 

We  better  know  there  is  fire  whence  we  see 
much  smoke  rising  than  we  could  know  it  by  one  or 
two  witnesses  swearing  to  it.     The  witnesses  may 

commit  perjury,  but  the  smoke  cannot. Letter  to 

I.  R.  Underwood  and  H.  Grider,  Oct.  26,  1 864,  vol. 
X,  p.  254. 

Bored  by  Bad  Handwriting 

I  have  already  been  bored  more  than  enough  about 
it;  not  the  least  of  which  annoyance  is  his  cursed, 

unreadable,  and  ungodly  handwriting. Letter  to 

William  H.  Herndon,  Ian.  IQ,  1848,  vol.  I,  p.  Jjl. 


46  Abraham  Lincoln 

Bad  Food  But  Good  Medicine 

.  .  .  No  more  I  can  be  persuaded  that  a  par- 
ticular drug  is  not  good  medicine  for  a  sick  man  be- 
cause it  can  be  shown  to  not  be  good  food  for  a  well 
one. Letter  to  Erastus  Corning  and  Others,  June 

12, 1863,  vol.  VIII,  p.  jog. 

Acquired  Appetite  for  Emetics 

No  more  am  I  able  to  believe  that  a  man  could 
contract  so  strong  an  appetite  for  emetics  during 
temporary  illness  as  to  persist  in  feeding  upon  them 

during  the  remainder  of  his  healthful  life. Letter 

to  Erastus  Corning  and  Others,  June  12,  l86j,  vol. 
VIII,  p.  310. 

Yankee  Pedler's  Pantaloons 

Like  the  pair  of  pantaloons  the  Yankee  peddler 
offered  for  sale,  ''large  enough  for  any  man,  small 

enough    for    any    boy." Speech    at    Worcester, 

Mass.,  Sept.  12,  1 848,  vol.  II,  p.  g2. 

Cut  Its  Own  Fodder 

Under  Mr.  Adams  and  the  presidents  before  him, 
it  [the  Post-office]  not  only,  to  use  a  homely  phrase, 
cut  its  own  fodder,  but  actually  threw  a  surplus  into 
the  treasury. Speech   on  the  Sub-treasury,  Dec. 

20, 18 3g,  vol.  I,  p.  131. 


Anthology  47 

Adding  the  Weight  of  Hogs 

This  is  as  plain  as  adding  up  the  weight  of  three 

small  hogs. Letter  to  Harrison  Maltby,  Sept.  8, 

1836,  vol.  II,  p.  2gj. 

Grandson  of  Milli ken's  Bend 

The  writer    ...     is  a  grandson  of  "Milliken's 
Bend,"  near  Vicksburg — that  is,  a  grandson  of  the 

man  who  gave  name  to  Milliken's  Bend. Letter 

to  Sec.  Chase,  Oct.  26,  1863,  vol.  IX,  p.  183. 

Father  of  Waters  Unvexed 

The  Father  of  Waters  again  goes  unvexed  to  the 

sea. Letter    to    James    C.    Conkling,    Aug.    26, 

1863,  vol.  IX,  p.  100. 

Territories  of  the  Moon 

Now  this  provision      .     .     .     had  no  more  direct 
reference  to  Nebraska  than  it  had  to  the  territories 

of   the   moon. Speech   at  Peoria,  III.,   Oct.   id, 

18 S4,  vol.  II,  p.  213. 

Like  a  Kicking  Gun 

This  opinion  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  in  one  branch  at 
least,  is,  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Polk,  like  McFingal's 

gun — "bears  wide  and  kicks  the  owner  over." 

Speech  on  Internal  Improvements,  June  20,  1848, 
vol.  II,  p.  3g. 


48  Abraham   Lincoln 

DR.AGGIXG  Chestnuts  from  the  Fire 

By  much  dragging  of  chestnuts  from  the  fire  for 
others  to  eat,  his  claws  are  burnt  ofif  to  the  gristle, 

and  he  is  thrown  aside  as  unfit  for  further  use. 

Speech  at  Chicago  Banquet,  Dec.  10,  l8j6,  vol.  II, 
P'  309. 

Homeopathic  Pigeon  Soup 

Has  it  not  got  down  as  thin  as  the  homeopathic 
soup  that  was  made  by  boiling  the  shadow  of  a  pigeon 

that  had  starved  to  death? Rejoinder  at  Quincy 

Debate,  Oct.  1 3,  1838,  vol.  IV,  p.  380. 

Wood  Soaked  for  Ox- Bows 

Like  wood  for  ox-bows,   they  are  merely  being 

soaked  in  it  preparatory  to  the  bending. Speeches 

in  Kansas,  Dec.  1-3^  1839,  vol.  V ,  p.  2^1 . 

Well- Known  Georgia  Costume 

If  that's  the  plan,  they  should  begin  at  the  founda- 
tion, and  adopt  the  well-known  "Georgia  costume" 

of  a  shirt  collar  and  a  pair  of  spurs. Speech  at 

Hartford,  Conn.,  Mar.  3,  i860,  vol.  V,  p.  33J. 

Producing  Two  Blades  of  Gr^ass 

Every  blade  of  grass  is  a  study;  and  to  produce 
two  where  there  was  but  one  is  both  a  profit  and  a 

pleasure. Agricultural  Address,  Sept.  JO,  1 8 39, 

vol.  V,  p.  233. 


Anthology  49 

Setting  the  Human  Eel-Til\p 

The  fisherman's  wife  whose  drowned  husband  was 
brought  home  with  his  body  full  of  eels,  said  when 
she  was  asked  what  was  to  be  done  with  him,  "Take 
the  eels  out  and  set  him  again.'' Reply  at  Gales- 
burg  Debate,  Oct.  J,  1838,  vol.  IV,  p.  2jg. 

Irishman  and  New  Boots 

How  could  we  make  any  entirely  new  improve- 
ment by  means  of  tonnage  duties?  The  idea  that  we 
could,  involves  the  same  absurdity  as  the  Irish  bull 
about  the  new  boots.  'T  shall  never  git  'em  on," 
says  Patrick,  "till  I  wear  'em  a  day  or  two,   and 

stretch   'em   a  little." Lecture   on   Internal   Im- 

provementSj  June  20, 1848,  vol.  II,  p.  42. 

Pugnacious  Exchange  of  Overcoats 

I  remember  being  once  much  amused  at  seeing  two 
particularly  intoxicated  men  engaged  in  a  fight  with 
their  great  coats  on,  which  fight,  after  a  long  and 
rather  harmless  contest,  ended  in  each  having  fought 
himself  out  of  his  own  coat  and  into  that  of  the  other. 

Letter   to   H.   L.   Pierce  and   Others,  Apr.   6, 

l8jg,vol.F,p.I2j. 

New  Men  M-\de  from  Old 

A  fellow  once  advertised  that  he  had  made  a  dis- 
covery by  which  he  could  make  a  new  man  out  of  an 


50                   Abraham   Lincoln  i 

old  one,  and  have  enough  of  the  stuff  left  to  make  a 

little  yellow  dog. Speech  in  Congress,  July  2J, 

1848,  vol.  II,  p.  J 3.  I 

Starving  Between  Stacks  of  Hay  1 

We  have  all  heard  of  the  animal  standing  in  doubt  i 

between  two  stacks  of  hay  and  starving  to  death.  1 

The  like  of  that  would  never  happen  to  General  Cass.  ] 
Place  the  stacks  a  thousand  miles  apart,  he  would 
stand  stock-still  midway  between  them,  and  eat  them 

both  at  once,  and  the  green  grass  along  the  line  would  j 

be  apt  to  suffer  some,  too. Speech  in  Congress,  \ 

July  2y,  1848,  vol.  II,  p.  83.  j 

Divided  Gangs  of  Hogs 

1 

I  have  heard  some  things  from  New  York,  and  if  \ 
they  are  true,  one  might  well  say  of  your  party  there, 

as  a  drunken  fellow  once  said  when  he  heard  the  1 
reading    of    an    indictment    for    hog-stealing.     The 

clerk  read  on  till  he  got  to  and  through  the  words  \ 

"did  steal,  take,  and  carry  away  ten  boars,  ten  sows,  j 

ten  shoats,   and  ten  pigs,"   at  which  he  exclaimed,  1 
"Well,  by  golly,  that  is  the  most  equally  divided 

gang  of  hogs  I  ever  did  hear  of!"     If  there  is  any  j 

other  gang  of  hogs  more  equally  divided  than  the  j 

Democrats  of  New  York  are  about  this  time,  I  have  I 

not  heard  of   it. Speech   in   Congress,  July  2^,  \ 

1848, vol. II, p. 88.  I 


Anthology  51 

First  Invention  a  Joint  Operation 

The  very  first  invention  was  a  joint  operation,  Eve 
having  shared  with  Adam  the  getting  up  of  the 
apron.  And,  indeed,  judging  from  the  fact  that  sew- 
ing has  come  down  to  our  times  as  "woman's  work" 
it  is  very  probable  she  took  the  leading  part, — he, 
perhaps,  doing  no  more  than  to  stand  by  and  thread 
the  needle.  That  proceeding  may  be  reckoned  as  the 
mother  of  all  "sewing  societies"  and  the  first  and 
most  perfect  "World's  Fair,"  all  inventions  and  all 

inventors  then  in  the  world  being  on  the  spot. 

Lecture   on   Discoveries,  Inventions   and  Improve- 
ments, Feb.  22,  18 SQ,  i^ol.  V,  p.  106. 

Last  Shriek  on  Retreat 

His  idea  was  that  it  would  be  considered  our  last 
shriek  on  the  retreat. Account  of  the  Emancipa- 
tion Pro  damnation,  Feb.  6,  1 864,  "vol.  X,  p.  2. 

Last  of  Old  Serpent's  Tail 

The  last  tip  of  the  last  joint  of  the  old  serpent's 

tail  was  just  drawing  out  of  view. Reply  at  Alton 

Debate,  Oct.  IS,  1838,  vol.  V,  p.  46. 

Who  Should  be  Slaves 

I  have  always  thought  that  all  men  should  be  free ; 
but  if  any  should  be  slaves,  it  should  be  first  those 


52  Abraham   Lincoln 

who  desire  it  for  themselves,  and  secondly,  those  who 
desire  it  for  others. Address  to  Indiana  Regi- 
ment, Mar.  17,  1 86s,  '^ol.  XI,  p.  5^. 

Egypt  of  the  West 

They    .     .     .     must  have  access  to  this  Egypt  of 

the  West  without  paying  toll. —Annual  Message, 

Dec.  I,  1862,  vol.  VIII,  p.  US' 

Freedom  to  Every  Creature 

If  we  cannot  give  freedom  to  every  creature,  let  us 
do  nothing  that  will  impose  slavery  upon  any  other 

creature. Speech  at  Chicago,  III.,  luly  10,  18^8, 

vol.  Ill,  p.  5/. 

Take  His  Own  Medicine 

When  I  hear  anyone  arguing  for  slavery,  I  feel  a 

strong  impulse  to  see  it  tried  on  him  personally. 

Address  to  Indiana  Regiment,  Mar.  I  J,  l86S,  'vol. 
XI,  p.  SO. 

A  Durable  Struggle  for  Freedoai 

I  think  we  have  fairly  entered  upon  a  durable 
struggle  as  to  whether  this  nation  is  to  ultimately 
become  all  slave  or  all  free,  and  though  I  fall  early 
in  the  contest,  it  is  nothing  if  I  shall  have  contributed, 

in  the  least  degree,  to  the  final  restful  result. 

Letter  to  H.  D.  Sharpe,  Dec.  18,  l8s8,  vol.  V,  p.  gO, 


Anthology  53 

Let  Him  Enjoy  What  God  Gave 

All  I  ask  for  the  negro  is  that  if  you  do  not  like 
him,  let  him  alone.     If  God  gave  him  but  little,  that 

little  let  him  enjoy. Speech  at  Springfield,  III., 

July  I  J,  1838,  vol.  Ill,  p.  186. 

Wrecked  Negro  on  the  Plank 

If  it  was  like  two  wrecked  seamen  on  a  narrow 
plank,  where  each  must  push  the  other  off  or  drown 
himself,  I  would  push  the  negro  off, — or  a  white  man 
either;  but  it  is  not:  the  plank  is  large  enough  for 

both. Speech   at  New   Haven,   Conn.,  Mar.   6, 

i860,  vol.  V,  p.  352. 

To  Keep  the  Jewel  of  Liberty 

They  [negroes  in  Louisiana]  would  probably  help, 
in  some  trying  time  to  come,  to  keep  the  jewel  of 

liberty  within  the  family  of  freedom. Letter  to 

Governor  Hahn,  Mar.  1 3,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  3g. 

Neither  Slave  nor  Wife 

I  protest  against  the  counterfeit  logic  which  con- 
cludes that,  because  I  do  not  want  a  black  woman 
for  a  slave  I  must  necessarily  want  her  for  a  wife. 
I  need  not  have  her  for  either.     I  can  just  leave  her 

alone. Speech  at  Springfield,  III.,  June  2  J,  18^7 , 

vol.  II,  p.  32Q. 


54  Abraham  Lincoln 

Small  Cures  for  Great  Sores 

Our  best  and  greatest  men  have  greatly  underesti- 
mated the  size  of  this  question.  They  have  con- 
stantly brought  forward  small  cures  for  great  sores — 

plasters  too  small  to  cover  the  wound. Speech  at 

New  Haven,  Conn.,  Mar.  6,  l8do,  vol.  V ,  p.  J4J. 

Chestnut  Horse  Argument 

Anything  that  argues  me  into  his  idea  of  perfect 
social  and  political  equality  with  the  negro  is  but  a 
specious  and  fantastic  arrangement  of  words,  by 
which  a  man  can  prove  a  horse-chestnut  to  be  a  chest- 
nut horse. Reply  at  Ottawa  Debate,  Aug.  21, 

'I8S8,  vol.  Ill,  p.  22g. 

Slavery  Founded  in  Selfishness 

Slavery  is  founded  in  the  selfishness  of  man's  na- 
ture— opposition   to   it   in   his   love   of  justice. 

Speech  at  Peoria,  III.,  Oct.  id,  1 8^4,  vol.  II,  p.  2j8. 

Snake  a  Jewel,  Wen  an  Ornament 

In  front  of  us  sat  an  old  gentleman  with  an  enor- 
mous wen  upon  his  neck  .  .  .  The  wen  repre- 
sents slavery  upon  the  neck  of  this  country.  .  .  . 
Those  who  think  it  right  would  consider  the  snake 

a  jewel   and  the   wen   an   ornament. Speech   at 

Hartford,  Conn.,  Mar.  5,  iSOo,  vol.  V,  p.  JJJ, 


Anthology  55 

Southern  Abolition  and  Northern  Slavery 

We  know  that  some  Southern  men  do  free  their 
slaves,  go  North  and  become  tip-top  Abolitionists, 
while  some  Northern  ones  go  South  and  become  most 

cruel  slave-masters. Speech  at  Peoria,  III.,  Oct. 

Id,  l8S4,  vol.  II,  p.  206. 

Cutting  Each  Other's  Throats 

How  much  better  .  .  .  than  to  sink  both  the 
things  to  be  sold  and  the  price  of  it  in  cutting  one 
another's  throats? Appeal  in  Favor  of  Compen- 
sated Emancipation,  July  12, 1 862,  vol.  VII,  p.  2"] 2. 

Every  Drop  of  Blood 

If  it  [the  war]  continue  until  all  the  wealth  piled 
by  the  bondman's  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  of  un- 
requited toil  shall  be  sunk,  and  until  every  drop  of 
blood  drawn  with  the  lash  shall  be  paid  by  another 
drawn  with  the  sword. Second  Inaugural  Ad- 
dress, Mar.  4,  l86s,  'vol.  XI,  p.  46. 

Different  Ideas  of  Liberty 

The  shepherd  drives  the  wolf  from  the  sheep's 
throat,  for  which  the  sheep  thanks  the  shepherd  as 
his  liberator,  while  the  wolf  denounces  him  for  the 
same  act,  as  the  destroyer  of  liberty,  especially  if  the 
sheep  was  a  black  one.     Plainly,  the  sheep  and  the 


56  Abraham   Lincoln 

wolf  are  not  agreed  upon  a  definition  of  the  word 
liberty;  and  precisely  the  same  difference  prevails  to- 
day among  us  human  creatures,  even  in  the  North, 
and  all  professing  to  love  liberty. Address  at  San- 
itary Fair  in  Baltimore,  Apr.  l8 ,  1 864,  vol.  X,  p.  J  J. 

Marks  to  Endure  Forever 

The  race  gave  me  a  hearing  on  the  great  and  dur- 
able question  of  the  age,  which  I  could  have  had  in 
no  other  way;  and  though  I  now  sink  out  of  view, 
and  shall  be  forgotten,  I  believe  I  have  made  some 
marks  which  will  tell  for  the  cause  of  civil  liberty 

long  after  I  am  gone. Letter  to  A.  G.  Henry, 

Nov.  ig,  1838,  vol.  V,  p.  gs. 

Snake  in  the  Children's  Bed 

If  I  saw  a  venomous  snake  crawling  in  the  road, 
any  man  would  say  I  might  seize  the  nearest  stick 
and  kill  it;  but  if  I  found  that  snake  in  bed  with  my 
children,  that  would  be  another  question.  I  might 
hurt  the  children  more  than  the  snake,  and  it  might 
bite  them.  Much  more,  if  I  found  it  in  bed  with 
my  neighbor's  children,  and  I  had  bound  myself  by 
a  solemn  compact  not  to  meddle  with  his  children 
under  any  circumstances,  it  would  become  me  to  let 
that  particular  mode  of  getting  rid  of  the  gentleman 
alone.  But  if  there  was  a  bed  newly  made  up,  to 
which  the  children  were  to  be  taken,  and  it  was  pro- 


Anthology  57 

posed  to  take  a  batch  of  young  snakes  and  put  them 
there  with  them,  I  take  it  no  man  would  say  there 

was  any  question  how  I  ought  to  decide. Speech 

at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Mar.  6,  i860,  vol.  V ,  p.  34'/. 

Fire  from  Cake  of  Tallow 

It's  a  lie,  and  not  a  well  told  one  at  that.  It  grins 
out  like  a  copper  dollar  ...  as  for  getting  a 
good,  bright  passable  lie  out  of  him,  you  might  as 
well  try  to  strike  fire  from  a  cake  of  tallow. Let- 
ter from  the  Lost  Townships,  Aug.  2"] ,  1842,  vol.  I, 
p.  226. 

Entangled  Head  and  Tail 

/In  one  faculty,  at  least,  there  can  be  no  dispute  of 
the  gentleman's  superiority  over  me,  and  most  other 
men ;  and  that  is,  the  faculty  of  entangling  a  subject, 
so  that  neither  himself,  nor  any  other  man  can  find 
head  or  tail  to  it. Speech  before  Illinois  Legisla- 
ture, Jan.  \_?~\,  18 JJ,  vol.  I,  p.  20. 

Long  and  Short  of  It 

Let  the  judge  go  on,  and  after  he  is  done  with  his 
half  hour,  I  want  you  all,  if  I  can't  go  home  myself, 
to  let  me  stay  and  rot  here;  and  if  anything  happens 
to  the  judge,  if  I  cannot  carry  him  to  the  hotel  and 

put  him  to  bed,  let  me  stay  here  and  rot. Reply 

at  Jonesboro  Debate,  Sept.  I ^,  l8^8,  'vol.  IV,  p.  6g. 


58  Abraham   Lincoln 

No  Way  to  Stop  Him 

If  a  man  will  stand  up  and  assert,  and  repeat  and 
re-assert,  that  two  and  two  do  not  make  four,  I  know 
nothing  in  the  power  of  argument  that  can  stop  him. 
I  think  I  can  answer  the  judge  so  long  as  he  sticks  to 
the  premises;  but  when  he  flies  from  them,  I  cannot 
work  any  argument  into  the  consistency  of  a  mental 

gag  and  actually  close  his  mouth  with  it Speech 

at  Peoria,  III,  Oct.  16,  l8S4,  'vol.  II,  p.  262. 

Don't  Know  What  Else  to  Call  Him 

I  don't  want  to  quarrel  with  him, — to  call  him  a 
liar, — but  when  I  come  square  up  to  him  I  don't 
know  what  else  to  call  him,  if  I  must  tell  the  truth 

out. Reply  at  Jonesboro  Debate,  Sept.  I  J,  iSjS, 

vol.  IV,  p.  JO. 

Reason  and  Authority 

There  are  two  ways  of  establishing  a  proposition. 
One  is  by  trying  to  demonstrate  it  upon  reason,  and 
the  other  is,  to  show^  that  great  men  in  former  times 
have  thought  so  and  so,  and  thus  to  pass  it  by  the 

weight  of  pure  authority. Speech  at  Columbus, 

O.,  Sept.  Id,  iSjQ,  vol.  V,  p.  172. 

Black  Hawk  Military  Hero 

Did  you  know  I  am  a  military  hero?  Yes,  sir; 
in  the  days  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  I  fought,  bled  and 


Anthology  59 

came  away.  ...  I  was  not  at  Stillman's  defeat, 
but  I  was  about  as  near  it  as  Cass  was  to  Hull's  sur- 
render; and  like  him,  I  saw  the  place  very  soon  after- 
wards.  Speech  in  Congress,  July  2^ ,  1 848,  vol. 

IL  p-  75- 

Marks  and  Bmnds  Described 

I  am,  in  height,  six  feet  four  inches,  nearly;  lean 
in  flesh,  weighing  on  an  average  one  hundred  and 
eighty  pounds ;  dark  complexion,  with  coarse  black 
hair  and  gray  eyes.  No  other  marks  or  brands  recol- 
lected.  Letter  to  J.  W.  Fell,  Dec.  20,  183Q,  vol. 

V.  p.  288. 

Loved  Flattery  but  Got  Little 

I  was  not  very  much  accustomed  to  flattery,  and  it 
came  the  sweeter  to  me.  I  was  rather  like  the 
Hoosier  with  the  gingerbread,  when  he  said  he  reck- 
oned he  loved  it  better  than  any  other  man,  and  got 

less   of   it. Reply   at  Ottawa  Debate,  Aug.   21, 

1838,  vol.  Ill,  p.  238. 

Attention  to  the  Soap  Question 

Some  specimens  of  your  soap  have  been  used  at 
our  house  and  Mrs.  L.  declares  it  is  a  superior 
article.  She  at  the  same  time  protests  that  I  have 
never  given  sufficient  attention  to  the  "soap  ques- 
tion" to  be  a  competent  judge. Letter  to  Professor 

Gardner,  Sept.  28,  i860,  vol.  VI,  p.  60. 


6o  '         Abraham   Lincoln 

Bloody  Struggles  with  Mosquitoes 

It  is  quite  certain  I  did  not  break  my  sword,  for  I 
had  none  to  break;  but  I  bent  a  musket  pretty  badly 
on  one  occasion.  If  Cass  broke  his  sword,  the  idea 
is  he  broke  it  in  desperation;  I  bent  the  musket  by 
accident.  If  General  Cass  went  in  advance  of  me 
in  picking  huckleberries,  I  guess  I  surpassed  him  in 
charges  upon  the  wild  onions.  If  he  saw  any  live 
fighting  Indians,  it  was  more  than  I  did;  but  I  had 
a  good  many  bloody  struggles  with  the  mosquitoes, 
and  although  I  never  fainted  from  the  loss  of  blood,  I 

can  truly  say  I  was  often  very  hungry. Speech  in 

Congress,  July  2J ,  1848,  "vol.  II,  p.  J S- 

Distinction  in  Congress 

As  you  are  all  so  anxious  for  me  to  distinguish 

myself,  I  have  concluded  to  do  so  before  long. 

Letter  to  William  H.  Herndon,  Dec.  I ^,  184J,  vol. 

LP- 317- 

Self  Distrust  and  Regained  Confidence 

I  must  gain  my  confidence  in  my  own  ability  to 
keep  my  resolves  when  they  are  made.  In  that  abil- 
ity you  know  I  once  prided  myself.  ...  I  have 
not  yet  regained  it;  and  until  I  do,  I  cannot  trust 

myself  in  any  matter  of  much  importance. Letter 

to  J.  F.  Speed,  July  4,  1842,  vol.  I,  p.  2l8. 


Anthology  6i 

Teaching  the  "Three  R's" 

No  qualification  was  ever  required  of  a  teacher 
beyond  "readin',  writin'  and  cipherin'  "  to  the  rule 
of  three.  If  a  straggler  supposed  to  understand 
Latin  happened  to  sojourn  in  the  neighborhood,  he 

was  looked  upon  as  a  wizard. Letter  to  J.  W. 

Fell,  Dec.  20,  lS8g,  vol.  V,  p.  28j. 

Task  Greater  Than  Washington's 

I  cannot  but  know  what  you  all  know,  that  with- 
out a  name,  perhaps  without  a  reason  why  I  should 
have  a  name,  there  has  fallen  upon  me  a  task  such 
as  did  not  rest  even  upon  the  Father  of  his  Country. 

Address  to  Ohio  Legislature  at  Columbus,  O., 

Feb.  13,  1861,  vol.  VI,  p.  121. 

Hugged  by  a  Russian  Bear 

Just  to  think  of  it!  right  at  the  outset  of  his  can- 
vass, I,  a  poor,  kind,  amiable,  intelligent  gentleman 
— I  am  to  be  slain  in  this  way.  Why,  my  friend 
the  judge,  is  not  only,  as  it  turns  out,  not  a  dead  lion, 
nor  even  a  living  one — he  is  the  rugged  Russian  bear. 

Speech  at  Chicago,  III.,  July  10,  1 8 ^8,  vol.  Ill, 

p.  20. 

Nonsense  Hurts  Nobody 

In  my  present  position  it  is  hardly  proper  for  me 
to  make  speeches.     Every  word  is  so  closely  noted 


62  Abraham  Lincoln 

that  it  will  not  do  to  make  foolish  ones,  and  I  cannot 
be  expected  to  be  prepared  to  make  sensible  ones.  If 
I  were  as  I  have  been  for  most  of  my  life,  I  might, 
perhaps,  talk  nonsense  to  you  for  half  an  hour,  and 

it  wouldn't  hurt  anybody. Remarks  at  Frederick, 

Md.,  Oct.  4, 1862,  vol.  XI,  p.  I2S^ 

Hopeless  Effort  to  Convince 

I  suppose  I  cannot  reasonably  hope  to  convince 
you  that  we  have  any  principles.  The  most  I  can 
expect  is  to  assure  you  that  w^e  think  we  have,  and 
are  quite  contented  with  them. Speech  in  Con- 
gress, July  2 J,  1848,  vol.  II,  p.  JO. 

Devotion  to  the  Union 

I  cannot  fly  from  my  thoughts — my  solicitude  for 
this  great  country  follows  me  wherever  I  go.  I  do 
not  think  it  is  personal  vanity  or  ambition,  though 
I  am  not  free  from  these  infirmities,  but  I  cannot 
but  feel  that  the  w^eal  or  woe  of  this  great  nation 

will   be   decided   in   November. Interview   ivith 

John  T.  Mills,  Aug.  IS,  1864,  vol.  X,  p.  l8g. 

Squeezed  Out  in  the  Middle 

Your  discomfited  assailants  are  most  bitter  against 
me;  and  they  will,  for  revenge  upon  me,  lay  to  the 
Bates  egg  in  the  South,  and  to  the  Seward  egg  in 
the  North,  and  go  far  toward  squeezing  me  out  in 


Anthology  63 

the  middle  with  nothing.     Can  you  not  help  me  a 

little  in  this  matter  in  your  end  of  the  vineyard? 

Letter  to  N.  B.  Judd,  Feb.  g,  i860,  vol.  V,  p.  2gi. 

An  Alexander  in  Obscurity 

I  would  like  to  know  who  is  the  great  Alexander 
that  talks  so  oracularly  about  "if  the  President  keeps 
his  word"  and  Banks  not  having  "capacity  to  run 
an  omnibus  on  Broadway?"  How  has  this  Alexan- 
der's  immense    light   been   obscured    hitherto? 

Letter  to  F.  P.  Blair,  Sr.,  July  JO,  1863,  vol.  IX, 
p.  49. 

Tied  to  Military  Coat-Tails 

All  his  biographies  (and  they  are  legion)  have 
him  in  hand,  tying  him  to  a  military  tail,  like  so 
many  mischievous  boys  tying  a  dog  to  a  bladder  of 
beans.     True,  the  material  they  have  is  very  limited, 

but  they  drive  at  it  might  and  main. Speech  in 

Congress,  July  2J ,  1848,  vol.  II,  p.  J4. 

Hard  to  Drive  Men 

It  is  not  much  in  the  nature  of  man  to  be  driven 
to  anything;  still  less  to  be  driven  about  that  which 
is  exclusively  his  own  business;  and  least  of  all  where 
such  driving  is  to  be  submitted  to  at  the  expense  of 
pecuniary  interest  or  burning  appetite. Temper- 
ance Address,  Feb.  22,  1842,  vol.  I,  p.  igO. 


64  Abraham  Lincoln 

Dread  of  the  Halter 

I   might  procrastinate   the   evil   day  for  a  time, 
which  I  really  dreaded  as  much,  perhaps  more,  than 

an  Irishman  does  the  halter. Letter  to  Mrs.  O. 

H.  Browning,  Apr.  I,  1838,  vol.  I,  p.  go. 

Too  Vast  for  Malice 

I  shall  no  nothing  in  malice.     What  I  deal  with  is 

too  vast  for  malicious  dealing. Letter  to   Cuth- 

bert  Bullitt,  July  28,  1 862,  vol.  VII,  p.  2Q8. 


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